Extreme Sailing Series host venue bidding process commences

The tender and selection process for venues with interest in hosting an Extreme Sailing Series event between 2013-2016 has begun, with three new slots opening up in 2013. The bid process closes 18th May 2012, with Host Venue decisions made by 29th June. The Extreme Sailing Series is delivering ever increasing tangible, year-on-year, benefits for Host Venues – boosted further by the new annual global nine month format.

Following the successful first Act of this year’s Extreme Sailing Series™ 2012 at The Wave, Muscat in Oman, the OC ThirdPole is pleased to announce the opening of the next round of Host Venue selection process for prospective cities and regions that wish to host an event in 2013 and beyond. The award-winning and innovative circuit provides Host Venues with an outstanding value-for-money destination marketing package, alongside the direct economic benefits that each event brings to the host cities.

In 2012, three new host venues of Porto (Portugal), Cardiff (UK), and Brazil (Brazilian venue to be confirmed at separate press announcement) have signed up to the circuit, as the fleet returns to previous host venues of Muscat (Oman), Qingdao (China), Istanbul (Turkey), Trapani (Italy), and Nice (France). With UK, Brazil, Oman, China and Turkey already committed in 2013 as part of multi-year deals, there are three Host Venue slots available in the bid process for next year. The circuit will retain a core of European venues, but continue its development in to new markets across four continents.

Bids will be evaluated on the same criteria that were applied to select the 2012 venues. These include first and foremost, a suitable and ideally ‘iconic’ venue that can facilitate the ‘stadium’ racing concept, strong support from local government and authorities, the ability to attract tens of thousands of spectators and a solid regional and national marketing and communications plan.

All host venues enjoy the direct and indirect benefits of having thousands of spectators visiting the event, as Don Luciano Alonso, Minister of Tourism, Trade and Sports for the Andalucia government who invested for three years in the event explains: 'The hotels were 90% full, 75,000 spectators watched the event… The results we have witnessed make it clear that we made the right decision when we bought the Extreme Sailing Series™ for Almeria.' An independent report commissioned by the region confirmed a five times ROI on their financial investment.

Day 3 - Alinghi flying in front of the crowds of spectators at the race village in The Wave, Muscat - Extreme Sailing Series 2012. Act 1

Each Act gives the Host Venue a global media platform [see Havas Sponsorship Insights media report] to showcase the region and its waterside facilities to the world, as well as promote the sport of sailing within their local community. The Extreme Sailing Series™ strives also to leave a lasting legacy in each location, activating charitable, volunteer and ‘try sailing’ programmes for all ages and experience levels.

Prior to the opening Act at The Wave, Muscat, Oman Sail, CEO, David Graham commented: 'The value of hosting such events is enormous in terms of inspiring even more Omanis to discover sailing and writing the next chapter of Oman’s maritime history. We expect to bring many new visitors to Oman and many others to see the country through the global media coverage the event will generate.'

Closing date for the tender process is 18th May 2012, by 1st June a shortlist will be confirmed and final confirmations made by 29th June, ahead of announcing publicly the 2013 Extreme Sailing Series™ circuit dates and venues in September.